San Diego State freshman Winston Shepard has been suspended three games for receiving impermissible benefits, the school announced Tuesday.

“The penalty is a result of Shepard inadvertently violating an NCAA rule,” school officials said in a statement. “Upon becoming aware of the situation, the San Diego State coaching staff immediately reported the situation to the compliance staff, which self-reported the issue to the NCAA.”

Shepard, a 6-8 forward from Fresno, Texas, played 21 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s opener against No. 8 Syracuse, scoring four points and grabbing seven rebounds. He will miss Tuesday night’s home opener vs. San Diego Christian plus Saturday’s game at Missouri State and the Nov. 21 game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

San Diego State plans to appeal the decision.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the transgression reports a car he purchased. No money exchanged hands, but a family friend, from his time at Findlay Prep in Las Vegas, co-signed for the loan. Shepard, 19, returned the car after “three or four days,” according to the newspaper.